Rajshree Upadhyaya | Jaipur | Business Remedies | In 2020, in the culturally rich district of Sivasagar in Assam, Upamanyu Borkakoty along with his cofounder Ansuman Bharali set out to solve a problem most tea drinkers never questioned. While Assam is globally celebrated for its robust tea, the modern tea bag had quietly introduced microplastics and waste into a ritual that was once pure and simple. Determined to restore authenticity to the cup, the duo founded Woolah Tea under TTLT India Private Limited with a mission to create a cleaner and more sustainable brewing experience. The word Woolah means happiness in Assamese, and that sense of mindful joy became the foundation of the brand.
After extensive experimentation and over a hundred formulation trials, the founders developed their breakthrough innovation, the TrueDips bagless tea technology. Instead of powdered tea sealed inside paper or nylon sachets, Woolah created compressed bundles of whole Assam tea leaves tied with natural fiber thread. Made using the traditional pluck of one bud and two leaves, this bagless tea dip format allows the leaves to unfurl freely in hot water, delivering a fuller aroma and richer taste without releasing microplastics. The innovation stood apart not just for sustainability but also for preserving the integrity of whole leaf tea.
Woolah Tea formally established operations in 2020 and gradually expanded its portfolio beyond its signature dip format. The company introduced a range of organic whole leaf teas, including blends like Rare Assam Green Tea, Green Tea with Tulsi, Green Tea with Mint, and other wellness-focused infusions. Each product retained the brand’s core promise of zero plastic contact brewing while emphasizing purity, traceability, and support for local Assamese tea growers. By working closely with farmers and women workers in tea estates, Woolah integrated social impact into its supply chain.
A defining milestone came in 2025 when the Government of India granted Woolah a 20-year patent for its invention titled Compressed True Whole Leaf Tea Dips and Method Thereof. This recognition legally protected its bagless tea dip innovation, positioning the startup as a pioneer in sustainable tea technology within the Indian market. The patent not only strengthened its competitive edge but also validated years of research and persistence.
National visibility followed when Upamanyu Borkakoty presented Woolah Tea on Shark Tank India Season 4 in early 2025. Seeking Rs. 50 lakh for equity, he highlighted the environmental hazards of conventional tea bags and showcased how Woolah’s plastic free tea dip solution could transform daily tea consumption. The pitch resonated strongly, leading to a deal with Aman Gupta who invested Rs. 50 lakh for 2.5 percent equity along with 2.5 percent advisory equity, valuing the company at approximately Rs. 20 crore. The appearance amplified brand awareness across India and strengthened its expansion plans.
As of 2026, Woolah Tea is fully operational with an active online presence and a growing customer base across India. Its website continues to retail its range of bagless tea dips and specialty whole leaf blends, and the brand has signaled ambitions to expand into international markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and the Middle East. From a small Assamese experiment to a nationally recognized sustainable tea brand, Woolah Tea represents how traditional agriculture can merge with modern innovation.
What began as a desire to remove plastic from a teacup has evolved into a larger movement centered on sustainability, farmer empowerment, and premium tea experiences. Through its patented TrueDips technology and expanding portfolio of organic whole leaf teas, Woolah Tea continues to carve a distinct identity in India’s competitive tea industry while staying rooted in the soil of Assam where its story first began.
